Forum Discussion

belsokar's avatar
belsokar
Visitor
10 years ago

How to Enter SD Mode?

Hello,

We are a new development team, and had a vendor build out a channel for us. However, our first submission was rejected due to several SD issues. We apparently did not test correctly in SD mode. However, we are testing on Roku 2 and 3 devices, and only have HDMI inputs to our television. Is there a way to force these devices into SD mode since it only offer 720p and 1080p as output options in the Roku settings menu?

Thanks!
Roku Developer Program

7 Replies

  • TheEndless's avatar
    TheEndless
    Channel Surfer
    10 years ago
    You'll need a Roku that supports SD to test that. The Roku 1 or previous gen Roku 2 (2720) would be a good choice.
    Generally speaking, having a lower end Roku is a good idea anyway. The current gen Roku 2 and Roku 3 are the fastest models, and won't really give you a good sampling of your apps performance across all available models.
  • belsokar's avatar
    belsokar
    Visitor
    10 years ago
    I appreciate the quick response...however, my understanding was that we can roll out apps for support of only specific devices...is it possible to just bypass all SD models of Roku? or is that a no-no for Roku channel submission?

    On a similar note, if I were to use an HDMI to composite cable on my roku, would that work to down-rez to standard definition?

    Thanks again!
  • TheEndless's avatar
    TheEndless
    Channel Surfer
    10 years ago
    "belsokar" wrote:
    however, my understanding was that we can roll out apps for support of only specific devices

    Roku models that support SD also support HD, so there wouldn't be any way to exclude just SD. Channels can be limited to certain models, but you'd need Roku's involvement to set that up. Such granularity is not available through the developer portal.

    "belsokar" wrote:
    On a similar note, if I were to use an HDMI to composite cable on my roku, would that work to down-rez to standard definition?

    No, that would just be scaling the HD output down to SD. You need native Roku SD output to verify SD functionality.
  • belsokar's avatar
    belsokar
    Visitor
    10 years ago
    Again, thank you very much....it appears there are multiple models, 2720(r) and 2720(xb)...they both appear to have composite cable options on the back of the device...should both devices support SD resolution? I just want to make sure I order the correct device, as we will be testing over the weekend.

    Thanks!
  • Komag's avatar
    Komag
    Roku Guru
    10 years ago
    Those are both the same device, only the number matters (2720), not the letter after (it's only an indication of original release, refurbished, and maybe another category too that I can't remember).

    Any of these will work for you:
    2400
    2450
    2500
    3000
    3050
    3100
    2700
    2710
    2720

    The key is that they offer composite out, and are "second generation" or newer, as listed here:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roku
  • belsokar's avatar
    belsokar
    Visitor
    10 years ago
    Thanks once again! I have ordered a device to add to our fleet of test devices. (Roku 3, Roku 2 (new), Roku Stick, and now Roku 2 -2720)...
  • TheEndless's avatar
    TheEndless
    Channel Surfer
    10 years ago
    "belsokar" wrote:
    Again, thank you very much....it appears there are multiple models, 2720(r) and 2720(xb)...they both appear to have composite cable options on the back of the device...should both devices support SD resolution? I just want to make sure I order the correct device, as we will be testing over the weekend.

    Thanks!

    It's worth noting that you can test SD over HDMI as well. As long as the box can be set to SD, it'll output SD on whichever connection is active.